For the most part, I've had my fill of undead films. While classics like 28 Days Later along with the initial episodes from The Walking Dead proved gripping, the genre seems mostly depleted nowadays. Yet the highly anticipated 28 Years Later has been gathering dust in my watchlist for months. But, the platform's latest Indonesian zombie flick, The Elixir, succeeded in defy my expectations turning out quite enjoyable.
Impressive Pacing and Character Growth
One of this movie's greatest assets is its excellent rhythm. It begins with a striking initial scene in which a peaceful family gathering gets suddenly disrupted when a van plows into the guest area. From the wreckage, a very undead-looking stranger stumbles out proceeding attacking the attendees. This intense scene is then followed by a look back, allowing us to see this household before the tragedy struck.
Unlike many zombie films, The Elixir actually allows the audience sufficient time to become acquainted with the primary characters before the carnage ensues. We meet Nes, a wife and mother with a ex best friend, Karina, has become married to her dad—a clearly awkward dynamic. Naturally, this has predictably led to a rift among Nes and Karina. We also see her sibling, Bang, described as kind-hearted yet a bit inept socially, and he loves playing video games with Nes' young son, Raihan. Her spouse, Rudi, appears to have lately cheated on Nes. This household patriarch consists of her dad, who runs a well-known herbal remedy company named Wani Waras, and he seems focused on just two things: his work and his marriage to his daughter's ex-best friend. Needless to say, this family reunion is incredibly tense.
Invested in the Conflict
I found myself so invested in the household's issues and their personal conflicts to the point I nearly overlooked this was a scary movie—something that could sound like a negative, but ultimately worked well. The Elixir spends a significant amount of its runtime depicting viewers the identity of every relative is, plus the ways they add to the general turmoil. This emphasis on clashing personalities allowed me to relate with the characters enough to care about their fate—an uncommon feat in a genre which frequently introduces individuals just to kill them off soon after. The Elixir doesn't treat its cast as two-dimensional, disposable victims for an army of the undead to consume, thus it's a genuine surprise once events finally go wrong.
Evocative of Parasite
The initial sequences of the party and various family interactions in fact bring to mind the film Parasite, a tale that masquerades as a Korean drama with somewhat morbid humor prior to taking an abrupt shift toward "holy shit" territory. These introductory moments aren't centered too heavily on humor compared to Parasite, yet The Elixir nonetheless gives sufficient time to settle into the setting prior to it gets upended.
Original Infection Source
The film also offers a quite intriguing reason regarding the origin of the spreading transformation. Instead of an accidental lab leak or some sort of bioweapon, the source for this contagious disease originates in a recent batch from Wani Waras natural medicines created by her dad. Although we do learn something regarding how it started, it would have been better if the movie devoted a little more focus explaining how Wani Waras transitioned from a reputable purveyor of holistic medicine to creating a lethal potion that appears to include a highly contagious virus. Despite the limited background, the impact this condition produces on humans proves utterly disgusting, which I appreciate. The Elixir's zombies prove quick, bizarre in appearance, and, perhaps worst of all, always smiling. This is a daring choice, but it works. The Elixir's practical effects and computer graphics also appear quite realistic, and they're practically certain to trigger one's trypophobia.
Capable Characters
Even better than the disgusting moments is the cast themselves. Certainly, we see some instances of dubious choices (as in any good zombie movie), but for the most part, Nes and her family are inventive and quick-thinking. Additionally, they aren't afraid to strike an undead in the head, pierce it using a farm tool, or hit it over the head with whatever heavy object is available rather than standing still like prey in headlights while danger approaches.
Believable Familial Discord
The Elixir doesn't abandon its focus of familial discord when people start turning into zombies, this proved a welcome authentic deviation from that "We don't get along|"We have issues, but since you nearly died so I instantly pardon you for everything! cliché often seen in apocalyptic movies. It's clear, Nes loves her family and values her spouse, Rudi, but it's also clear she's still clinging to resentment regarding his infidelity in their relationship. When the family gets separated, they decide over the phone to regroup at a close spot. But when Bang reveals he doesn't know how to get there, Nes expresses a massive amount of frustration on her brother which has obviously been building for years. Nes is not flawless, and her relatives—flawed as it is—seem authentic and relatable since the movie doesn't try to push the idea that a near-death experience immediately resolves family tensions. This causes those instances where these individuals do show gratitude for each other feel far more genuine.
Predictable Conclusion
Despite The Elixir's strong efforts to break new ground, the conclusion is admittedly a bit formulaic. The Elixir doesn't truly presenting some profound message about family or society, as well. Instead, it's primarily delivering scares. Yet these are successful scares, and because the movie gives each character enough room to grow and avoids penalizing them for their imperfections, the result is a captivating and enjoyable
